The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-08-11
,N'1T. /.
TRIPLE S0MERSTIM
THE REASONS WHY so FEW OF
THEM HAVE BEEN TURNED.

Several Attempts Which Resulted in
Broken Necks-A 14-Year-Old Boys
Successful Feat--A Circus Mans BOId
Oner-The Requirements.
The first remembered attempt to throw u
triple somcisaut in this country was by II
performer in Van AmLurgh's circus in Mobile,
Ala, in 1912 He fell Oh his head and broke
his neck. Another attempt was made i'll
London, Eng, in 1886 1t was made in
Astcy's amphitheatre, then leased to Howe
g. Cushing, the American managers. IN the
company were Mr.. l. Lipman a fine vaulter,
now in Cincinnati; the late Levi j. North, II
famous equestrian; the late William o. Dale,
an acrobat and equestrian, who afterwards
lost his sight and died at Cmcinnati; and
William l. Hobbies, a champion leaper. 1t
was previously announced that Hobbies would
attempt triple, and the house was jammed
He tried it, and was instantly killed.
The next to attempt the dangerous feat
was John Amor, who was born in the home
cf Dan Rice's father, near Girard, Pa, Amor
Travelled for years in this country with Dan
Rce's circus, and in chat day was considered
the greatest gymnast in America, If not in
the world. He was said to be the first per-
former in America to turn double somer
sault over four horses. In 1859 he went to
England and Travelled with circus all
through the United Kingdom In the same
year he attempted to turn a triple somersault
at the Isle of Wight but landed ON his fore
head after he turned twice, and broke his neck.
Billy Dutton performed the great feat while
a member of Lakes circus, at Elkhorn, Ills,
in 1860, at q rehearsal, in the presence of John
Lowlow, tine famous clown. Dutton was
| ambitious to have it to say that he did it, but
| did not make the attempt with the intention
of repeating it. He made the leap from a
nigh spring board, and actually turned three
times Dutton was very proud but sensibly
| said that he would not try it again, and that
his alighting on his feet was an accident, as
he could not control his body after turning
| the second time.
OTHER FATALITIES.
Frank Stark, who was reared by John
Robinson, the circus manager, undertook the
feat at the fair grounds in Indianapolis in
| 1870 for Il wager Of 800. III the first at
| tempt he turned three times, but alighted on
his hands. Everybody was satisfied with the
| result, and the money was rendered him.
| He proudly refused it, saying that the feat
had not been accomplished that he would
repeat it, and aliGht upon his feet before lie
felt sufficiently jusdied in taking the 500.
He did repeat it, but struck on his head, dis
| locating his neck, and lis death resulted in a
| few hours afterward.
Bob Stickney, the Apollo Belvedere of the
| modern arena, accomplished the great feat at
the age of IA years. while practicing in the
Hippo theatre, on Fourteenth street, New
York. in 1916. William Stein, at the time an
| attache of the circus, and who now, with his
wife, gives a Second sight" performance,
was one Of the persons who held the common
| wooden blanket upon which Sticbney alighted.
Sam Bernhard, Of Columbus, o., q retired
leaper, while travelling with the Cooper and
Bailey circus, in 1910, became dissatisfied
with the double somersault feat, i'll which he
was an adept, and burned to perform the
triple. At Toledo he announced that he would
make the attempt, and he did SO, notwith-
standing the advice Of his friends not to try
it, Sam made splendid high leap, actually
turned three times, but landed Oh his seat in
stead of his feet.